Release Detail

May 12, 2005 - Mayor Should Control Ground Zero Development,
New York City Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll;
Voters Oppose Stadium, But Say It Will Pass

By a 60 - 24 percent margin, New York City voters say Mayor Michael Bloomberg, not
Gov. George Pataki, should have the major role in decisions about development of the
World Trade Center site, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

In a September 10, 2003, poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University, 54 percent wanted the Mayor to control Ground Zero, with 25 percent who
wanted the Governor in charge.

Redevelopment of Lower Manhattan is going "very well," 13 percent of New York
City voters say, with 41 percent who say "somewhat well;" 23 percent who say "somewhat
badly" and 13 percent who say "very badly." This compares to 62 percent who said "very
well" or "somewhat well" and 26 percent who said "somewhat badly" or "very badly" in
the September 10, 2003, poll.

The Bloomberg administration's focus on the West Side Stadium has distracted its
attention from Ground Zero redevelopment, New Yorkers say 52 - 38 percent.

"Most New Yorkers are still satisfied with the pace of rebuilding at Ground Zero,
but the stories about delays, security fears and design changes have eroded that good
feeling. And voters never did like the idea that their Mayor was not running the show,"
said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"The stadium begins to look like Bloomberg's albatross. More than half of New
York voters think it's distracted him from the rebuilding at Ground Zero," Carroll added.

By a 51 - 43 percent margin, New York City voters oppose a West Side stadium for
the 2012 Olympics and the New York Jets football team, and the 2010 Super Bowl.

Voters say 64 - 30 percent that they want the city to host the 2012 Olympics, a
number which has remained consistent for months.

By a 55 - 35 percent margin, voters agree with Bloomberg that without the stadium,
the city will not win the Olympic bid. Voters also say 47 - 42 percent that the state panel
which will make the final decision on the stadium should decide when it meets May 18,
rather than wait for the International Olympic Committee to decide in July on whether New
York will get the 2012 Summer Games.

It is "very likely" the stadium will be built, 37 percent of New York City voters say,
with 40 percent who say "somewhat likely;" 11 percent who say "not too likely" and 6
percent who say "not likely at all."

While 27 percent of voters say they are less likely to vote for Bloomberg because of
his position on the stadium, 9 percent say they are more likely and 61 percent say this issue
will not affect their vote.

"It looks like a contradiction. New Yorkers would love to play host to the
Olympics. They buy Bloomberg's argument that no stadium means no Olympics. But they
still oppose the stadium," Carroll said.

"Cynicism? Political practicality? A sense of the inevitable? Whatever, New
Yorkers don't want the stadium but, overwhelmingly, they think they're going to get it."

From May 3 - 9, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,169 New York City registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

TREND: There is a proposal to build a new stadium for the New York Jets
football team and the 2012 Olympics on the West Side of Manhattan. In general,
do you support or oppose this proposal?